Dillon Tatum to Michigan State: "I followed my heart"

Some felt he would follow his former coach and teammates to Michigan early, but West Bloomfield (Mich.) talented safety Dillon Tatum made his own decision.

He has committed to Michigan State.

“I had a lot of people in my ear about Michigan, and how I should go there with coach Ron Bellamy (safeties) and others from my school,” Tatum said. “I wanted to make my own decision though. Michigan is a great school, but Michigan State is the right school for me.”

Tatum is the 20th commitment for the Spartans in the 2022 class.

Tatum has been a silent commitment

Iowa jumped in the race late, but the Hawkeyes gave the 5-foot-11, 190-pound athlete something to think about. Michigan State was the school though, and Tatum knew that a couple of weeks ago.

“I gave Michigan State a silent commitment about two weeks ago. Michigan was recruiting me hard, but then when I didn’t commit as early as they wanted me to, they slowed things down a lot.

“Michigan State never changed. They showed me a lot of love and it never stopped. They wanted me. Iowa and Michigan are great schools, but I followed my heart and committed to Michigan State.

Tatum got head coach Mel Tucker, secondary coach Harlon Barnett, and running backs coach William Peagler on a Facetime call and gave them the news.

“I wanted to get all the coaches that recruited me on the phone at one time to tell them. They were coming off the practice field, and when I told them, they all started screaming.

“They were screaming so loud, one of my former teammates, Tre Mosley heard them, and found out I was committing. It was really exciting for all of us.”

It feels like family for Tatum in East Lansing

Since the age of seven, Tatum has been a fan of Michigan State. He went through the recruiting process with an open mind, and he evaluated a lot of different schools, but in the end, it came back to that school he grew up cheering for.

“My love for Michigan State was so strong,” Tatum said. “I have visited so many times and it was like one big family there.

“The feeling was different at Michigan State. It was where my heart was. Everyone was so welcoming. The players and the coaches showed love, and there was no fake love from the people there.”

Tatum can’t wait to play in Spartan Stadium.

“The stadium has a vintage feel, but yet there are a lot of new things too. It is just the perfect place for me.

“The love is there, it is a big family and it is a great fit for me. The only way I know how to describe it at Michigan State is lit.

“I always have fun there, and it is where I want to be.”

Bright future in East Lansing

Tatum was recruited as a versatile defensive back, and he likes that fit, and he is excited about where the Michigan State program is going.

“I definitely feel things are going in the right direction,” Tatum said. “Since coach Tucker came in, he has changed the roster a lot, and he has things going in the right direction.

“He is recruiting better, he is getting better players in, and he has shown he can coach them and develop them.

“They want me to come in and be a versatile defensive back. I think that is perfect for me. They see me as a nickel some, then a free safety, and they just want to keep me on the field.

“I love the aggressive offense, the down hill defense, and I think we can do big things at Michigan State.”